NEWS NOTES FROM WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7222, 10 January 1885, Page 5

NEWS NOTES FROM WELLINGTON.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent,] Wellington, Friday. BELGIAN SETTLEMENT. . M. De Harven, the Belgian agent, sent to New Zealand with a view to the establishment of a special Belgian settlement in the colony, had % long interview to-day with the Hon.' Mr; Richardson, Minister .of Public Works. The details of the interview have not transpired, but it related chiefly to the lands set apart for the East and West Coast Railway in Canterbury. It will be recollected that in the last session of Parliament it was decided that land was to be given in payment for the construction of this work. The impression here is that, if the terms should be favourable, the work could be carried out by a large supply of immigrant labour. M. I)e Harven proceeds to Canterbury to report the result of his interview with the Government to the promoters of the line. * MAJOR ATKINSON. The leader of the Opposition left Wellington this morning for New Plymouth. No political significance whatever attaches to his visit to Wellington. I bad a few moments' conversation with Major Atkinson last night, and he informed me that he was here with a view solely to private business. THE ABSCONDING WORKHOUSE MASTER. The Opawa brings the wife and child of J. F. Anderson, who is in custody for extensive defalcations. THE GOVERNMENT INSURANCE BOARD. The result of the voting for three directors on the Central Board in Wellington was announced unofficially at a late hour laßt night. The following are the successful candidates : H. D Bell, 1513; George Fisher (Mayor of Wellington), 1343; G. S. Graham, 1334, There were 29 candidates, and 8000 voting papers were sent in within the prescribed period. i